"YOUNG MASTER!!"
The voice tore through the morning mist like a knife.
Kael blinked awake slowly, heavy-lidded, barely processing where he was. The first thing he felt was something warm and soft resting against his shoulder—Elric, asleep with the empty wine bottle still loosely held in one hand. Her silvery hair spilled over his arm like threads of moonlight. She shifted slightly but didn't wake.
He looked around. The garden was quiet, bathed in pale sunlight. Dew clung to the grass beneath them. They had fallen asleep by the lake, the still surface reflecting the golden sky.
Kael's chest rose with a silent breath.
"Young master!!"
Robert's voice grew louder—closer—followed by hurried footsteps and rustling cloaks. Several servants trailed behind him, clearly panicked. When Robert finally arrived at the lakeside and saw the scene before him, he froze.
His eyes darted from Kael's pale face to Elric, still asleep in nothing more than her rumpled nightgown.
"What in the name of the Saints—Duke Elric, what happened here?!" Robert's voice pitched higher than usual as he dropped to Kael's side, inspecting him like a frantic nurse. "Why is he outside? At dawn? With you?!"
Elric stirred at last, slowly sitting up with a groggy blink. Her eyes met Robert's, and her mouth twisted into a guilty smile.
"Ah," she murmured, brushing hair from her face, "we got a little lost... I might've forgotten which corridor led where."
Robert gaped. "You got lost in your own mansion?!"
"I told you—it's my first time walking around it at night!" She tried to shrug it off. "Besides, it's not like he was complaining."
"He doesn't have to complain," Robert snapped. "His body speaks for him, and what it's saying is: 'I need warm blankets, soup, and eight hours of sleep!'"
Servants rushed forward, wrapping Elric in a blanket. She tried to wave them off but let them fuss over her with a tired sigh. Meanwhile, Robert knelt before Kael and gently draped a heavier wool cloak over his shoulders.
"What if my young master catches a cold again? Or a fever? Or worse—"
Kael stayed still, letting them argue over him. He didn't flinch or react, but he watched quietly, observing the familiar chaos Robert brought with him like a morning ritual.
"This is all your fault, Duke Elric," Robert continued. "You knew his condition, and still—"
"Okay, fine!" Elric raised both hands in defeat. "I'm sorry, Prince Robert. Forgive me for leading your young master into a beautiful garden stroll and giving him a magical night under the stars. What was I thinking?"
"Don't call me that!" Robert nearly stumbled, cheeks red.
Kael's gaze drifted toward the bottle that had rolled near the lake. A single freesia petal rested on the cork. His expression didn't change, but he reached for it silently, brushing the petal with his finger.
Robert was already ushering him back to his chambers. "Honestly, wine? Night air? Wet grass? Thank the stars it didn't rain last night! What if he slipped? Or fainted again?"
Kael walked obediently. He knew better than to interrupt Robert's scolding. Better to let the storm pass naturally.
Inside the room, Robert adjusted the pillows, folded the blankets, arranged the breakfast tray—all while continuing to mumble.
"Don't tell me... you drank the wine too?"
Kael blinked, then slowly shook his head.
Robert sighed, relieved. "Good. That's one smart choice."
Kael changed his clothes in silence, eyeing the corner of the room where the vase of freesias stood. The petals were a different shade now—last night's were cream-colored, today's were pale violet.
Reinhardt had been here. Again.
And Kael had missed him. Again.
He stared at the flowers, expression unreadable, before letting out a quiet sigh.
From the pocket of his coat, he drew out the small box Elric had given him. He opened it slowly.
The ring gleamed faintly under the morning light.
Robert paused beside him. "She gave that to you?"
Kael didn't respond.
"So... she told you then. About the engagement," Robert said quietly. "I was wondering if she'd do it last night."
Still, Kael said nothing. He just closed the box and set it carefully in the drawer of his bedside cabinet.
Robert didn't push further. He simply stood beside him for a moment, studying his face—searching for something behind that veil of silence.
When he found nothing, he nodded to himself and stepped back.
Kael gently touched his chest—the exact spot where Elric's hand had rested last night. The scar underneath pulsed faintly, like an echo of her words still lingered there.
-----------------------------------------
Meanwhile, in Elric's Room
Elric had just finished buttoning the collar of her outerwear when she stopped short.
A figure sat casually in her reading chair, legs crossed, his golden hair slightly tousled. He wore no uniform—just simple, noble-quality civilian clothing.
"Good morning, Elric," Reinhardt greeted her with a crooked smile, his voice warm but too relaxed.
She narrowed her eyes. "What are you doing here?"
"I waited all night," he said, leaning back. "You weren't in your room. So I slept in your bed. Hope you don't mind."
"You what—?!"
He chuckled. "Relax. I didn't mess anything up. Just needed a soft place to lie down. You have good pillows."
Elric folded her arms, still eyeing him suspiciously. "You're not skipping court business again, are you?"
He shrugged. "Call it a personal holiday."
"Running from paperwork?"
"Maybe." He stood up, brushing imaginary dust from his shoulder. "But I came for more than that."
She already knew what was coming.
"I want to see Kael."
Her heart skipped. "You can't just walk in on him."
"I won't. Not yet." Reinhardt looked her in the eye now. "I've waited long enough. Robert said he's improving… I think it's time."
Elric was quiet. She couldn't refuse him—not entirely. Kael was his best friend.
"You have to give me time," she finally said, her voice low. "Let me prepare him."
Reinhardt smiled—almost bitterly. "You say that like I'm a memory he should fear."
"No," Elric replied, stepping closer, "I say that like I'm someone who sees him flinch in silence."
There was a pause.
Reinhardt nodded, accepting the answer. "Very well. I'll wait."
He turned toward her balcony, one hand resting on the railing.
"I'll see you at the party," he said lightly. "And Elric… Thank you. For keeping him alive."
And with that, he leapt over the railing and vanished into the dawn